He who represents himself …

Defendant files motion arguing he is unfit to stand trial

September 16, 2011

It appears that Ted Velleff's frequent run-ins with the law have allowed him to brush up on the criminal justice system.

The Chicago man, who according to court records has an extensive criminal history, recently fired his public defender, is acting at his own attorney and has filed a motion asking the court to declare him unfit for trial, prosecutors said.

Velleff, 52, was arrested in July 2010 and charged with burglary. Authorities say he broke into a lobster delivery truck in the 500 block of North State Street in Chicago. Velleff is being held in jail while he awaits trial.

The motion Velleff filed last week states that there is a "bona fide doubt as to the defendant's fitness to stand trial … because of his mental condition. He is unable to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him and, to assist in his defense."

The motion goes on to say that Velleff has been taking psychiatric medication since August 2010, while being housed in Stateville Correctional Center and at Cook County Jail, and is therefore is not "completely lucid."

Velleff has numerous theft and burglary convictions in Cook County dating to 1985, court records show.

Cook County Circuit Judge William O'Brien is expected to rule on Velleff's motion during an Oct. 26 hearing at the Skokie courthouse.